I knew we’d jinxed the weather by mentioning snow in our last newsletter!

But dare we now say spring is finally here?

We’re so excited about the new season ahead. How about you?

The clocks have sprung forward, so it’s much lighter in the evenings. Oh, how we’ve been dreaming of this happening!

Speaking of dreaming… if you have small children or work unsociable hours, the longer days can cause havoc with our circadian rhythms and lead to problems drifting off to the land of nod.

Don’t despair though. We’ve got a few solutions for you in this month’s newsletter.

So, let’s dive into our round-up of the projects we think are key for your home and gardens this spring!

Pelmets – a classic solution.

Visit any stately home, and you’ll see pelmets adorning windows throughout the property.

First used in the 15th-century Renaissance era, light wooden boxes were created and covered in luxurious printed fabrics to hide unsightly curtain fixtures and imperfections around the tops of windows. This created an elegant, dramatic aesthetic that exuded wealth and prosperity!

As well as looking uber-sophisticated, pelmets also serve many useful functions.

Bed room curtains with pelmet

They’re an excellent way to prevent light bleeding around the top of curtains, creating a sleep-inducing environment or a cosy living area. Perfect for the lighter evenings!

They can also help reduce draughts in the cooler months and prevent warm air from seeping into your rooms in the summer months.

If the traditional stately home vibe isn’t your thing, pelmets can also be toned back to create a sleek, modern look.

This look can also be achieved with a valance. Similar to a pelmet but uses just fabric with no wooden structure.

Not sure whether a pelmet or valance is in keeping with your home interior? A quality set of blinds or curtains with blackout lining can also do a fantastic job of reducing the amount of light seeping into your bedroom.

If you missed our curtain header guide in last month’s newsletter, not to worry. You can read it here .

Chic shade to beat a heatwave!

Do you remember the extreme heat we experienced last summer? Well, it’s got us thinking about the damaging effects of UV on our soft furnishings. Also, how we can futureproof our interiors to help block out unwanted sunlight and heat.

Don’t get us wrong; we love the summer months. But we’d hate to see our favourite fabrics and furniture fade over time.

Voile curtain in a lounge

A stylish way to protect your interior from the sun and keep your home cool.

Lightweight, sheer curtains, known as voiles, are a quick way to allow plenty of light into your space whilst filtering out some of those harmful UV rays.

They’re also fantastic at protecting your daytime privacy. Think of them like a chic modern-day net curtain!

Paired with curtains, voiles can produce a beautifully elegant, layered effect.

Snuggle up in style

If you’ve been in our world for a while, you’ll know how much we love soft cushions!

They’re a fabulous way to add a touch of extra comfort to your sofa, window seat, floor, and bedroom. In fact, absolutely anywhere in your home!

Scatter cushions with a brush trim

Even though spring has finally arrived, the nights can still feel a little chilly. So snuggling up with some scatter cushions in a fabric that complements your interior and personality can feel like a warm hug from your favourite chair or sofa!

Not only do they feel great, but they’re a simple way of transforming the look of a room without time-consuming redecorating projects.

Scatter cushions on an arm chair

At the moment, lavish brush fringe and scallop trims are popular. These trims give cushions a delicate edge, which adds a touch of feminine charm. They can also help soften an interior scheme and introduce extra cosiness to a classic sofa or chair.

We also love pom poms! They add a gorgeous boho vibe, especially when paired with colourful, patterned fabrics.

Cushions with a pom pom trim on a sofa

Introducing new fabric collections!

With a new season comes an exciting new collection of gorgeous fabrics, which we’re so excited to share with you!

If you’re thinking of refreshing your soft furnishings this spring or summer, get in touch to find out more about our services and latest collections.

Perhaps you’d like to update some kitchen blinds? Overhaul your bedroom? Change the theme of your living area? Or update the soft furnishings in your business? Whatever it is, we’re here to help.

To keep up to date with the release of our new fabric collections, follow us on Instagram!

New fabric collection samples from Ashley Wilde and Kai

Book your spring and summer upholstery projects

Has the gorgeous spring sunshine flooding your room made you notice your favourite chair or sofa looks a little worn?

Don’t despair! Reupholstery can rejuvenate your trusty furniture and make it look as good as new (if not better!).

Our talented upholstery team will take great care of your beloved chair or sofa. With so many different fabrics to choose from, all you have to worry about is choosing your favourite.

Our books are filling up quickly, so get in touch to add yours to the schedule to avoid disappointment.

newly reupholstered dining chair seats

This set of dining chairs has been given a refresh with new upholstered seat pads.

Throw open the doors and head outside!

Do you have a garden bench or outdoor sofa area that’s looking worse for wear? Could do with cheering up or need some colour.

A simple way to give it a new lease of life is to throw on a few cosy blankets or water-resistant cushions, creating a relaxing and inviting place to enjoy the nice weather that’s hopefully around the corner.

outdoor seating with seat cushions and scatter cushions

An update on Tessa’s swimming challenge

Not long to go until Tessa’s swimming challenge for Diabetes UK!

As many as 4.8 million people are living with Diabetes in the UK right now, including Tessa’s father and brother, which is why Tessa has chosen to support this very worthy charity.

If you’d like to join us in sponsoring Tessa, you can do so using the link below.

Diabetes UK Swim 22 swimming hat and googles on curtain fabric

We are sending you all a virtual bunch of spring flowers to say Happy Easter!

Easter bouquet of spring flowers

If you do want to send an actual bunch of flowers, we couldn’t recommend H.Watts Florist highly enough. They are based in Plymstock, Plymouth and wherever possible try to source flowers locally.

Speaking to their friendly and very knowledgeable team, they would recommend scented Narcissi to create that Easter vibe.

Should you choose to use H. Watts Florists (and we hope you do), please tell them Niki’s Soft Furnishings recommended them when placing an order.

That’s all for this month. Enjoy the Easter weekend and good luck with those Bank Holiday redecorating projects if you are embarking on one!